Research

Research Showcase

From reimagining cemetery memorials through interactive tech in Cemigram, to exploring the immersive power of VR therapy for veterans, and unpacking Walt Disney World’s impact on regional transportation, this research bridges innovation, tradition, and real-world change.

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This research paper explores how Walt Disney World has quietly shaped Central Florida’s transportation landscape. From expanding highways to supporting commuter rail and high-speed rail proposals, Disney’s private infrastructure investments have driven major regional transit changes—raising important questions about public-private partnerships, equity, and long-term urban development.
This paper explores how Appalachian communities reclaimed their identity through grassroots labor movements and cultural storytelling. Contrasting outsider-led efforts like the War on Poverty, it highlights how local organizations and media collectives like Appalshop empowered residents to speak for themselves, resist exploitation, and reshape public narratives.

This project proposal examines the integration of technology in cemeteries, focusing on balancing innovation with respect for their traditional, tranquil atmosphere. It introduces the “Cemigram,” a digital hologram designed to enhance memorialization and storytelling about the deceased. 

This paper aims to explore Virtual Reality Exposure Therapy (VRET) as an innovative approach to PTSD treatment, emphasizing its potential to create controlled, immersive environments that facilitate the processing of trauma, thereby enhancing traditional exposure therapy methods for veterans.

The Haitian Revolution (1791-1804) was a pivotal moment in history, marking the only successful slave revolt that led to the establishment of the independent Republic of Haiti. This research paper explores the factors contributing to the revolution’s extraordinary success, particularly in contrast to previous failed slave revolts in Latin America.